Finally, honeymoon for Imran Khan

Post-Delhi Belly’s super success, the actor intends to go ahead with his honeymoon plans by the end of this month. The actor had married his long-time girlfriend Avantika Malik in January this year, but kept postponing the trip, citing work commitments as his excuse.

entertainmentUpdated: Jul 17, 2011 14:37 IST

Prashant Singh Hindustan Times

Finally, Imran Khan is set to go on his honeymoon. Post-Delhi Belly’s super success, the actor intends to go ahead with his plans by the end of this month. The actor had married his long-time girlfriend Avantika Malik in January this year, but kept postponing the trip, citing work commitments as his excuse.

Immediately after their wedding, Imran and Avantika were apparently set for a three-day trip to Hawaii. But shooting schedules played spoilsport as the young actor was busy with Yash Raj Films’ Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and Karan Johar’s Stand By Me.

“Yes, I am planning to go on my honeymoon at the end of this month. Seriously, I have been very busy over the past few months,” says Imran, adding that he is “trying hard to work out his schedule to get a proper two or two-and-a-half-week break.”

“Even now, there’s a fight with work. One brand wants to shoot an ad, while another needs a day for their photoshoot. Two days after the wedding, I was back on the sets shooting for my films. But I must add that Avantika has been really supportive,” says Imran.

The actor confesses that he sometimes feel guilty about postponing the holiday. “I feel, ‘poor girl (Avantika), she is not saying anything. But at some point, I must make that effort.’ Now, I will make sure that the honeymoon plans work out. It should definitely happen before the promotions for Mere Brother Ki Dulhan start in mid-August,” he says.

Even as Imran plans out his honeymoon, he reveals that his uncle Aamir Khan is already on holiday: “He is the first one to sneak away after a film’s release,” says the 28-year-old with a laugh. “He told me, ‘ab tu kar promotion (you do the promotion).’ And he left quietly for a break sometime last week. He always does it; checks out the first week collections of films and goes on a holiday.”

Delhi Belly is a huge hit. What’s the feeling?

So far, based on what I am seeing, it’s going to be my highest-grossing film. It’s surprising because it’s an adult film. So, half our audience is cut out. If it wasn’t A-rated, the collections would have been 30-40 per cent higher.

What do you think worked?

Its honesty. Delhi Belly is a real and honest film, and people like that. Real people have that kind of sense of humour and it’s refreshing to watch it on screen. In Bollywood, we make college films but students wear designer clothes and travel in Ferraris. We also shoot these films in London or New York college. Somewhere you enjoy it but you’re aware that it’s not real.

But Aamir’s been targeted for the film’s language and content.

Aamir is easily a soft target as he is a good and righteous man. He is a person of integrity, who never strikes back. So, he becomes an easy target for critics. You will never find him calling in for favours or using his influence.

Were you worried about releasing along with Amitabh Bachchan’s Bbudah Hogga Tera Baap?

I wasn’t worried because I knew a good film would carry itself. A big film with a huge star will definitely have a bigger opening, but if your film is good, you will carry on with word-of-mouth publicity. That’s the hope we went on with in theatres. And that’s exactly what happened. Apparently Bachchan also criticised use of gaalis (foul language). That is one’s personal choice. You have to make a kind of film you believe in. And if someone feels they wouldn’t like to use such a language, they mustn’t. We are creative people and we have complete freedom to follow our heart and make our kind of films.

Is Disco Fighter, sequel to Delhi Belly, happening?

As far as I know, it’s not. People thought Disco Fighter so possibly due to Aamir’s song at the end of the film, which mentions Christmas 2011. But he never makes a film and releases it so quickly. And as of now, there’s no plan. But it will be a damn funny film, if Aamir takes it up (laughs).

You have another biggie coming up, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan.

Yes, it’s set for a September 9 release. I saw the film a few days back and it has turned out much funnier that we anticipated. It started as a rom-com but is now a com-rom. It’s the ‘filmiest’ movie I have done till date— very massy film with eight songs, dancing and over-the-top acting style. I am very excited.

How was it working with Katrina Kaif for the first time?

I am very impressed with Katrina’s work ethics. She is the most hardworking actor I have ever seen. For instance, after pack-up, I would feel tired, but she’d do elaborate dance rehearsals before going to the gym. She made me feel bad about myself with her dedication (laughs). Trust me, she will be remembered for this role. Those who feel she can’t act and is just a pretty face will shut up after the film.

And you also have Karan Johar’s tentatively titled, Stand By Me with Kareena Kapoor.

It’s halfway done. The film is exactly opposite to Mere Brother. Initially, it was a bit scary to work with Kareena since when you tend to see her as a star and not an actor. I have seen her films as a fan. So naturally, I was intimidated. But she is a chilled-out girl, unaffected by her own stardom. She walks to the sets in track pants and chappals, sipping chai. She doesn’t have the typical starry air.